CORAL - Forever (A Romance Trilogy, Book 3) (9 page)

I sigh heavily. “Ok,” I whisper and pick up my knife and
fork...

About ten minutes into the meal, I take my final bite. I’m
done, I can't eat anymore. Tristan is still sat next to me, patiently waiting
for me. I feel so sleepy now, I can barely keep my eyes open.

“Had enough?” Tristan asks. I nod sleepily to him. “Ok
baby.” He stands, lifts me into his arms and carries me over to the sofa. He
sits down, with me on his lap, and I instantly fall asleep, cradled in the
safety of his warm arms...

TRISTAN
GENTLY WAKES ME FROM MY SNOOZE.
But I still feel so sleepy, so I
keep my eyes closed. I can hear his music is still playing, I recognise the
song. David Gray’s This Years Love – Such a melancholy track, I wonder if this
is how Tristan feels?

“Hey.” Tristan says, stroking my cheek. “The nurse is here
baby.” I force my eyes open. A young woman, maybe my age is standing in front
of me in a pale blue uniform.

“Hi Coral, I'm Theresa, but everyone calls me Terry,” she says,
smiling at me.

“Hi.” I close my eyes again. “Just do what you need to do,”
I softly add.

“Alright Coral.” Taking my right hand, she taps it several
times. “This will sting a little, we’re not going to give you an I.V drip, we’re
just going to place this catheter in your hand and every four hours you’ll be
given an injection for the pain, we will start weaning you off it though, so it
should be out in a week’s time,” she says.

“Ok,” I whisper, barely feeling the needle, but I do feel
the pain relief.

“Coral?” She says sounding worried, I feel Tristan stiffen
beneath me. She taps my cheek, so I open my eyes. She starts checking me, my
eyes, my glands...

“I'm ok,” I whisper. “Just really tired.”

“I know you are, but I just want to make sure. You’ve gone
very pale.”

“Have I?” I murmur.

“Have you had much to drink today Coral?” she asks shining a
light in my eyes.

“Yes,” I whisper. “She’s had plenty,” Tristan adds.

“Good, you need to keep your fluid intake up. Lots of water,
ok?”

“Ok,” I answer groggily.

“Alright then, I’ll be back in a few hours,” she says.

“Ok. Bye Terry.....” And I drift...

I
WAKE UP IN OUR BED
. Tristan is lying beside me, fully dressed and
softly sleeping.
I wonder what time it is?
Tristan still has his player
on, but for once it’s a song I don’t recognise. I hear a soft tap on the door,
and then it’s opened slightly.

“Hello?” Edith’s calls in a soft voice.

“It’s ok,” I whisper. “Come in.” Edith carefully opens the
door and tip-toes over to me with a tray in her hand –
Please don't be food!

“Here you are lass,” she whispers, placing the tray on the
bedside table next to me. There’s two large glasses of water, a pot of tea with
milk and sugar and a plate of chocolate biscuits -
I think they’re hobnobs?

“Thank you Edith, that’s very kind of you,” I whisper.

“Nonsense,” she says patting my hand. “It’s what I do.” I
smile up at her, pick up a glass of water and take several glugs.
Mmm so
refreshing!

Tristan stirs next to me, Edith smiles at me and tip-toes
back out of the room, giving me a cheeky wave as she does. I really, really
like her; and boy I could get used to this!

“Thirsty!” I hear Tristan croak. I go to lean across so I
can pass him some water – “Coral, stop!” I instantly freeze.

“What?” I gasp, looking across at him.

“I’ll get it,” he says, leaning over me –
Honestly!

“Tristan! You can't do that! I thought my stitches had split
or something!” I scold.

“Oh,” he says looking a little guilty. “Sorry baby, but
stretching like that and you’re stitches will split.” He sighs heavily. “Coral,
imagine you are strapped to that hospital bed, you wouldn’t be able to move
much would you?”

“Well no, but’ – “Ah ah,” he says, wagging his finger at me.
“You need to act like that baby, you’re still healing on the inside. One sudden
movement could rip everything open again, which means another operation and
more time in hospital.”

“Oh.” I frown. “I hadn’t thought of it like that.”

“Well, will you now, for me?” he asks, his puppy dog eyes
are back –
How can I resist?

I lean down slowly and peck him softly on the lips. “For you,
baby I’ll do anything,” I say. Tristan smiles his shy smile. “Who’s this?” I
ask.

“The music?” I nod. “Hoobastank, The Reason.” He answers.

“It’s good,” I say as I nod away to the beat.

“Yes, it is,” he says finishing off his water, then he looks
across at the tray. “Is that tea and biscuits?” He says, his eyes wide with
glee.

“Um...yeah?” I chuckle.

“Brilliant!” He says sliding over me so he can stuff a
chocolate biscuit in his mouth. He rolls his eyes in ecstasy.

“Nice?” I giggle.

“Mmm,” he chews, laughing as he does. “So good,” he says
picking another up. “Want one baby?”

“No,” I chuckle. “I'm still stuffed from that breakfast.” Tristan
smiles and starts to pour us both teas. “Why are you so happy you’ve got
biscuits?” I ask. His face falls –
Shit!

He finishes pouring the tea, then sits next to me. “I told
you baby my folks were poor, really poor. I never got any treats, certainly not
biscuits...and I love chocolate hobnobs,” he adds, taking another bite.
Ah
so they are hobnobs!

“Did you get...you know, regular meals?”

“Christ Coral, they weren’t starving me!”

“I'm sorry, I'm just trying to understand,” I say, staring
at the water in my glass.

Tristan sighs. “Coral, I had three square meals a day, and
always a small supper before bedtime – which is more than you ever had.” He
adds softly stroking my cheek.

“I know,” I say.

“Finish your water baby. Would you like some tea?” he says
in a low demanding voice.

What is his problem?

I look down at my half finished glass and glug the rest back
then pass it to him. “No, no thanks,” I say and turn on my side, facing away
from him.

Tristan’s been really snappy since we got back, and I'm
trying to work out why. I know what I did could have got me killed, but how
many times do I need to explain that I would do anything for him, anything to
save him...

“Would you like a biscuit?” he asks in a playful tone.

“No thanks,” I murmur.

“Coral, what’s wrong?” He sighs.

“You...being grumpy with me and I don't know why?” I croak.

“Actually, I'm
fucking furious
with you but now is
not the time,” he says.

“What?” I tremble, slowly sitting up to face him. “Why?”

“Coral.” He warns.

“No now Tristan!” I snap.

“Fine!”

“Fine!”

We glare at one another, two angry fools neither one of us
backing down.

“Trust!” He growls, his jaw clenching together.

“Trust?” I bark back.

“Yes, if you had one-inkling of trust for me you would have
told me what was going on while I was away. You would have told me about your
late night stalker, about Susannah’s behaviour, about her threatening you and
her crazy, warped idea about me...Christ Coral we could have avoided all of
this...all of it!” He shouts, bouncing to his feet. He starts pacing the room,
running his hands through his hair in frustration. Then he stops and glares
down at me.

“I could have taken you away. We could have gone somewhere...
anywhere! And I would have known you were safe, out of harm’s way. But you
didn’t trust me, you didn’t even try to tell me any of it. I keep trying to
rationalise your reasons for dealing with it the way you did but...” Tristan
shakes his head, clenches his jaw and stares out the window.
Holy crap! I'm
gobsmacked, speechless!

“We don't have a chance in hell if you don't tell me what’s
going on, regardless of my reaction,” he adds, his voice low, monotonous.

“Tristan,” I squeak, my eyes glistening over.

He glances down at me. “Don't turn on the water works,” he
hisses.

“Do you want me to go?” I sniff.

“No!” He bellows and runs his hands through his hair.

“So you’re just mad at me because I didn’t tell you what was
going on?” I question, because my instinct is telling me there’s more to this.

“Christ Coral, what do you need, a big fucking neon sign?” He
shouts, his arms splayed out to emphasise his point. He’s more angry than I
have ever seen him, and I have no idea how to deal with it. I want to run away
from him, as would be my usual response to any kind of confrontation, but I
doubt I’ll even get to the door before he stops me.

“Go away!” I shout.

“What?” He bellows shocked and puzzled.

“Go away, get out! You’re upsetting me, and I don't want to
be around you when you’re like this...Go Tristan get the fuck out!” I shout. He
glares down at me. His fists clenched at his side, his cheeks flushed and his
eyes dark. “Go downstairs and kick the shit out of your punch bag!” I spit.

“Are you seriously kicking me out?” He hisses.

“Yes, what do you need Tristan, a big neon fucking sign?” I
bellow, my eyes wild, my temper getting the best of me. It stings like buggery
to shout his words back at him, but I don't need this right now!

“Coral,” he says, his hand held out, his face full of
apology.

“No.” I turn away from him. “I'm serious Tristan, get out. I
need to be on my own right now.”

“For the love of god!” He hisses and marches out of the
room, mumbling to himself as he does.
Well that’s just fucking marvellous!

I lie back on the bed and wince –
Shit!
Can't lie
on my back
.

I turn on my side and stare out at the view, steam coming
out of my ears...but then the dam breaks again, and I weep into my pillow...

AFTER
HALF AN HOUR OF CONSTANT TEARS,
I
decide enough is enough. I get up slowly, my shoulder throbbing, and head into
the bathroom to clean up my face. I think I need to do something, hanging
around feeling sorry for myself is not helping.

I stare back at myself in the mirror –
Christ, what a
mess!

My eyes are red and puffy, my cheeks shallow, and I realise
it’s still there, that inner-hate – my reflection still bothers me. I quickly
look away and grit my teeth. I take a deep steadying breath, take one quick
glance at myself and head out the bathroom.

As I stand in the bedroom wondering what to do, I think
about going to find Tristan – tell him I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout at
him, to speak to him like that, but I can't stand loud voices, arguing,
shouting – I had enough of that in my early years.

I realise in that moment that Gladys was the complete
opposite. I mean, sure she’d shout at me if I’d done something that upset her,
and I did a lot of that in my teens, but in general, she was always calm,
always spoke softly to me, and so has Tristan, well up until this point.

Go find him Coral!
I nod in agreement with myself. I
pick up my e-reader just in-case he doesn’t want to talk to me, and very slowly
head down the stairs, literally one step at a time.

The moment I reach the bottom stair I hear it – Eminem’s
Love The Way You Lie.

Firstly, I didn’t know Tristan liked Eminem and secondly, he
has it playing downstairs and it is so loud up here, god knows how loud it is
down there –
Jeez! He’ll be deaf if he keeps playing it that loud!

I walk over to the breakfast table and place my e-reader
down. I realise someone’s in the kitchen and spin around – Edith. I guess it’s
going to take some getting used to, living with other people. I make my lips
smile, but it’s off. Edith smiles sorrowfully at me, then quickly looks away
and busies herself in the kitchen.
That was awkward!

I take a deep breath and hobble along the hallway. When I
reach the stairs taking me down to Tristan in the Gym, I hesitate. Maybe he
wants to be alone? Maybe I shouldn’t be the one apologising? After all, he was
the one that shouted first. Why couldn’t he have just told me that he was
feeling that way? I shake my head in anger and stare up at the ceiling – hoping
I’ll get some divine guidance –
Go down there Coral!

Ok, ok! I take the first step, then slowly make my way down.
Reaching the bottom, I tentatively walk along the hallway until I reach the
Gym. The door is cracked open. I peek inside and see Tristan at his punch bag –
Boy he looks mad, and powerful, and sexy...I’m mesmerised, as I watch him in
his vest and jogging bottoms, gloves on, hitting the bag repeatedly, jaw
clenched, sweat poring off him.
Man he’s fast!

I wouldn’t like to be behind one of those punches, not that
he would ever do that to me. I instantly think of him rescuing me from my
attackers, the night he proposed. I remember how they both crumpled to the
floor when he hit them – I shudder and wrap my arms around myself.

The track changes. 30 Seconds to Mars, The Kill. He stops
punching, grabs hold of the bag and rests his forehead on it for a while, I
guess he’s catching his breath? Then he lifts his head, shaking it slightly and
mimes the words. I know it well, it’s what I constantly listened to when Justin
and I split.

I close my eyes for a moment, hoping and praying Tristan
isn’t thinking about finishing it with me, that he’s just listening to this
track because he likes it, that it has nothing to do with me. I open my eyes
and watch him again.

He takes a deep breath, steps back and starts kicking the
bag, over and over –
God he’s fast!

I instantly feel like I’m intruding, this is a private
moment of his. I take one last lingering look at him and slowly hobble away.

As I reach the living room, I pick up my e-reader. I decide
to chill out on the sofa, then I think no, because Edith is in the open-plan
kitchen –
Christ! I just want to be on my own.

I head over to the library, open the door and find Stuart
reading a book.
God damn it!

“Coral.” He says looking up at me. “Everything ok?” I frown
at him and nod, quickly shutting the door as I do.

I sigh inwardly, guess I’m heading back up the stairs. It
feels like it takes forever to get back up to our room, so when I finally make
it, I feel exhausted. The moment I reach our bed, I collapse onto it and
instantly fall asleep...

“
CORAL.”
TRISTAN’S VOICE ROUSES ME FROM MY SLUMBER.
I
stare up at him with weary eyes. His vest is dripping in sweat, and he has a
towel wrapped around his neck. He kneels down next to the bed and smiles
apologetically at me. I don't smile back. I'm still hurt by what he said, and
as childish as it sounds, even though I went to speak to him, I’m not sure if I
should be the one apologising first. I just don't know!
I feel so confused!

“Coral’ – “Go and shower Tristan,” I say, staring down at
the bed. His body just looks too good, and it’s making me want him, here, now,
despite how I feel. He quickly stands and silently runs a hot, sweaty finger down
my cheek.

“I'm really sorry I shouted at you,” he whispers, then leans
down and softly kisses my cheek. “Just so you know, I’ve called the detective,
he’ll be here at nine o’clock tomorrow.”

“Fine.” I must be strong – I must not crumble. Even though
all I want to do is wrap my arms around him and kiss him over and over again,
and tell him everything’s going to be ok.

He turns, and slowly walks away with his head held low;
reaching the bathroom, he softly closes the door behind him.

God damn it!

HALF
AN HOUR LATER
, Tristan finds me curled up on the recliner in the
library. Thankfully, Stuart wasn’t in here when I decided to try again, which
pleased me. It’s given me some time to think logically about what I want to say
to Tristan. I have the fire on even though it’s hot outside, it’s warming a
cold I feel right in my bones.

“Hey.” He says kneeling down next to me. He smells divine,
shower gel, aftershave, and Tristan’s potent scent all mixed into one – and for
some odd reason he’s dressed in a pair of light grey suit trousers, and a cream
work shirt, he has the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the top two buttons
open –
He looks gorgeous!

I put down my e-reader and look across at him. “Are you
still mad at me?”

“Yes and no.” He says, his brows pulled together.
Ok,
here we go, be strong Coral!

I turn away from him and stare at the fire.

“Tristan we hardly know each other, not really. So I want
you to know I did what I did because of what you told me about Olivia, and when
I found out from her that it was Susannah...” I grit my teeth, trying to calm
myself then continue.

“Point is, you believed Susannah, not Olivia. I was so
scared of you doing the same to me, I knew I had to wait, to bide my time...I
couldn’t risk losing you,” I say. “I'm sorry if you think it was about trust
because it wasn’t, it was about you choosing to believe Susannah over me, and
how my fragile self-esteem wouldn’t have been able to take that.” I stare back
at him with wide eyes.

Tristan stands, then sits in the chair opposite me. “I'm
sorry,” he says. “I didn’t look at it like that, and now I understand why you
didn’t tell me. And I really am so sorry for shouting at you Coral. Can you
forgive me for behaving so badly?”

“Yes Tristan, that’s what people do when they love each
other, they fight, forgive and make-up. But I have more questions, I want to
talk.” I demand.

“I know baby, but not now,” he softly says.

“Why not now?” I huff.

“Because...well let me show you,” he says, standing to his
feet and offering me his hand.

“No,” I say looking away from him. “I want to talk. I don't
want to go anywhere.”

“But baby’ – “I'm mad at you too you know, but I haven’t
gone off at the deep end.” I say tears pooling in my eyes –
Shit! Don't
crumble!

Tristan kneels down next to me and entwines his fingers with
mine. “What are you mad about baby?” He softly asks.

“You...you told me you’d tell me and you haven’t!” I squeak.

“Tell you what?” He softly asks.

“When I was last here, telling you about Susannah, you went
to walk out on me...” I stop and close my eyes, remembering his words when I
begged him not to walk out on me like my Dad did. I remember what he said to
me. ‘
You’re already waiting for that to happen anyway’

“Why did you do that? Why did you
want
to walk out? Why didn’t you stop me leaving? Why did you tell me to go? What
did you do when I left? I was devastated. My fears had come true. I opened up
to you, told you everything and you…you just ended it, so don’t you dare act
all high and mighty and rave on at me about trust, you didn’t trust me either!”
I bite.

“That’s a lot of questions,” he says, his
lips twitching at the corners –
He finds this funny?

“Jesus Tristan, you’re laughing at me?” I bite.

He frowns, instantly losing the grin. “I
wouldn’t dare,” he says, staring down at our fingers. “Everything you have
asked me, I will answer but’ – “But what Tristan?” I interrupt, feeling
frustrated.

“You have guests arriving,” he says. “It
was supposed to be a surprise, but…” He shakes his head then looks up at me
with his puppy dog eyes. “Shall I tell them you’re tired and we can do this
tomorrow?” he asks. He’s still tense, I hadn’t noticed that.

“Tristan, what’s really wrong?” I ask, finally
relenting and gently stroking his cheek. He stares back at me, judging whether
or not to tell me. “Please…tell me,” I add.

He subtly shakes his head at me. “Not now,”
he whispers swallowing hard.
So there is something else?
I sigh inwardly
and stare back at him for what feels like a very long time. And I come to the
surprising conclusion, that even though I’m still mad at him, that even though
he shouted at me, that he’s been snappy with me and that he’s holding something
back from me, I still want him. I cannot and will not live without this man.

So I have to ask the question – What am I
waiting for? It’s in that very moment that I realise what it is I want. So I
guess I better let him know, but not yet.

“So this surprise,” I say my frown deep.

“Yes,” he says. “A late birthday
celebration coupled with the fact that you are home, so it’s a welcome home
party too.”

“Oh,” I whisper.

“Shall I tell them to come tomorrow?” He
asks again.

“No Tristan, let’s just get this over with
so we can talk.”

“Hey, I will answer all of your questions,
but I’d rather you be in a better mood for this.”

“Well you shouldn’t have shouted at me,” I
say still feeling sore.
Such conflicting feelings!

“I know and I’m very sorry about that baby,
I didn’t handle it very well. But I want you to enjoy this evening which you
won’t do if you’re still pissed at me.”
He’s right – again!

I won’t enjoy it if I stay mad, and right
now I hate that I am still mad, the damn breaks again –
What the hell is
wrong with me?

“Hey,” Tristan says wrapping his arms
around me, and I weep quietly into his neck.

“Why am I being like this?” I sniff.

“Baby, you’ve been through a traumatic
event, it’s normal to feel up and down.”

“It is?” I squeak. I don’
t
get it? I’ve had worse experiences than
this and I was not a blubbering wreck then.

“Yes,” he states. “Now come on, I’ll take
you upstairs so you can get cleaned up.”

“Ok.” Tristan lifts me up into his arms
again, and despite how I feel, I relish the feel of his strong arms encasing
me, protecting me.

“You promise we’ll talk later?” I ask.

Tristan stops midway on the stairs.
“Promise?” He questions. I nod twice. “You don’t like that word,” he says.

“I know, but it’s nicer than ‘your word’
and maybe you won’t break your promises to me, like my Dad did.” Tristan leans
down and kisses me, my lips part for his tongue, his taste…Are we about to?...He
stops kissing me, shakes his head slightly and leans his forehead against mine.

“No!” he whispers, answering my unspoken
question. “And yes, I promise. I promise we’ll talk later. I won’t ever break
my promises to you Coral.” He swiftly kisses me on the lips and continues up
the stairs.

“Oh and while you’re at it, you can tell me
why you were being so frosty with Dr Green.” He stops walking, and goes deathly
white –
He looks like he’s just seen a ghost?

“Tristan!” I have stopped breathing. “What
is it?” His jaw clenches several times as he stares blankly ahead.
Why won’t
he make eye contact with me?

“Tristan’ – “Coral stop!” He barks, marching
into the bedroom and setting me down on the bed. He takes a deep breath and
crouches down in front of me. “Baby, just for a few hours can we just forget
everything, all the questions we both have and just try to have a good time?”
He says, his big eyes pleading –
God damn it!

“Fine…Ok,” I say my hands in the air then a
plan forms. “I promise to be good, enjoy tonight and not ask you any questions,
on one condition.”